Long Island Weather: Blizzard Warning for Nassau and Suffolk

The prospects of blizzard-like conditions slamming Long Island Friday just got even likelier.

The National Weather Service Thursday afternoon issued a blizzard warning for all of Long Island beginning 6 a.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday.

The weather service also upped its predictions of snow accumulation in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, noting that both could see more than one foot of snow.

Meteorologists predicted Nassau could get blanketed with 10 to 14 inches, while Suffolk could be hit with 10 to 15 inches.

The powerful winter storm is expected to also bring winds of 20 to 40 mph, plus gusts of up to 60 mph.

On top of the heavy snow predictions, the national weather service is also calling for temperatures Friday night to fall into the 20s.

The strongest winds and heaviest snowfall will occur Friday evening into Saturday morning, the NWS said.

The potential blizzard also makes driving dangerous, with the storm possibly spawning whiteout conditions. The weather service warned residents not to drive, but if people must travel “have a survival kit with you.”

The NWS also issued a coastal flood warning for both counties, noting that waves could reach up to 13 feet in Suffolk.

Widespread flooding of vulnerable shore roads and basements is also expected, meteorologists said, adding, “numerous road closures may be needed.”

Rashed Mian has been covering local news for the Long Island Press since 2011. He graduated from Hofstra University in 2010 where he studied print journalism. Rashed, the staff's multimedia reporter, covers daily news for the web, shoots/edits feature videos and occasionally writes about civil liberties. He loves Afghan food and sports. Rashed is also a caffeine freak. Email: rmian@longislandpress.com. Twitter: rashedmian